Jammu Kashmir Govt Asked to Explain Delay in Doodh Ganga Pollution Control

SRINAGAR: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to submit a timeline for setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Srinagar, Chadoora, and Budgam municipalities, citing ongoing pollution of the Doodh Ganga river due to untreated sewage.

Constructions that have come up in Doodh Ganga stream near Batamaloo

In an order issued by the NGT’s Principal Bench comprising Justice Prakash Srivastava (Chairperson) and Dr Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member), the Commissioner Secretary of the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department has been asked to file an affidavit within eight weeks. The affidavit must include a timeline, responsible officials, and the phased plan for execution and household connectivity for the STPs.

The directive was passed in the case Raja Muzaffar Bhat v/s Union of India and others, originally filed four years ago over the illegal dumping of waste, discharge of untreated sewage, and unregulated mining in and around the Doodh Ganga river stretch in Srinagar and Chadoora.

The tribunal noted with concern that Municipal Council Budgam generates 1.62 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage with no existing STP. Similarly, Municipal Council Chadoora generates 4.30 MLD of sewage, also without any treatment facility. In Srinagar, where over 163 MLD of sewage is produced daily, only around 60 MLD is being treated.

The NGT expressed disappointment over the silence of the reports filed on July 9, 2024 regarding these issues and criticised the lack of accountability from officials during proceedings. The tribunal observed that untreated sewage continues to flow into rivers like Doodh Ganga and Mamath Kull, contributing to alarming levels of pollution.

Further, the NGT noted the absence of performance data of existing STPs and the non-disclosure of water quality metrics for Doodh Ganga and Mamath Kull as per prescribed environmental standards.

The petitioner, Raja Muzaffar Bhat, highlighted that despite the government allocating Rs 141 crore for the STPs over a year ago, little visible progress has been made. “Even today, untreated sewage was seen entering the Doodh Ganga at Barzulla,” he stated.

The tribunal has asked for immediate accountability and a concrete roadmap to prevent further environmental degradation in the region, warning that failure to act would warrant further scrutiny and possible sanctions.

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